The influence of the migrating motor complex on the postprandial endocrineresponse

Background: The phase of the migrating motor complex (MMC) in the proximal small intestine at meal intake modulates gastric emptying, which is acceler ated after intake during phase II. In the present study the relationship be tween phase of the MMC at meal intake and the postprandial endocrine respon se was studied. Methods: Eight healthy subjects ingested a caloric liquid m eal of 2020 kJ during phase I and late phase II of the intestinal MMC, resp ectively, in a randomized order. Blood samples were drawn at regular interv als after meal intake and analysed for insulin, gastrin, neurotensin, chole cystokinin, motilin, and somatostatin by radioimmunoassays. Results: The ar ea under the curve (AUC) until 15 min for serum insulin (P < 0.05) and plas ma neurotensin (P < 0.02) and AUC until 120 min for serum gastrin (P < 0.05 ) were higher after intake during late phase II than after phase I. Plasma cholecystokinin increased earlier (P < 0.05) after intake during late phase II than after phase I. Plasma motilin and somatostatin were not influenced by preceding phase of the MMC. Conclusions: This study shows that the phas e of intestinal MMC at meal intake modulates the postprandial endocrine res ponse, which may be explained by the prior entry of nutrients to the small intestine after intake during phase II.